11-23 HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Certainly! Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday in the United States, and it has a rich history. Here are some fascinating facts about Thanksgiving:

The first Thanksgiving is believed to have taken place in November 1621 at Plymouth, in present-day Massachusetts. Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans gathered for a feast to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.

2. Thanksgiving Proclamation: President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, setting the date as the final Thursday in November. It was later moved to the fourth Thursday by Congress in 1941.

3. Thanksgiving Parades: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is one of the most famous Thanksgiving parades. It began in 1924 and has since become an annual tradition, featuring giant balloons, floats, and performances.

4. Turkey Tradition: Turkey has become a staple of Thanksgiving dinners. According to the National Turkey Federation, around 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving each year.

5. Presidential Pardons: The tradition of the President pardoning a turkey began with President Harry S. Truman in 1947. Each year, the President pardons a turkey, sparing it from being part of the Thanksgiving dinner.

6. Thanksgiving Football: Watching football on Thanksgiving has become a tradition for many families. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys traditionally host Thanksgiving Day games.

7. Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, with many retailers offering significant discounts.

8. Thanksgiving Side Dishes: In addition to turkey, popular Thanksgiving side dishes include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Regional variations in side dishes exist across the country.

9. Canadian Thanksgiving: While the United States celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. The Canadian holiday has a different historical origin.

10. Football Rivalries: Thanksgiving football games often feature longstanding rivalries, such as the Detroit Lions vs. the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Football Team.

11. Native American Influence: The Wampanoag Native Americans played a crucial role in the first Thanksgiving, sharing their knowledge of the land and helping the Pilgrims survive.

12. Thanksgiving in Space: Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrate Thanksgiving in space. They have special space-friendly versions of traditional Thanksgiving foods.

13. Turkey Trots: Many communities host Turkey Trots, which are running events held on or around Thanksgiving. Participants often run in the morning to "earn" their Thanksgiving feast.

14. Thanksgiving Movies: Some families have a tradition of watching Thanksgiving-themed movies, such as "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" or "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

15. Thanksgiving Songs: While there aren't as many Thanksgiving songs as there are for other holidays, some classics include "Over the River and Through the Wood" and "We Gather Together."

These facts showcase the diverse traditions and elements that make Thanksgiving a special and culturally significant holiday in the United States.